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Lone worker safety devices protect employees operating across a wide range of lone working job roles. Typically these devices will feature a panic button and GPS tracking capabilities. Some are worn as part of the employee’s equipment and others are carried from job to job. Both will have the advantage of being hands-free. Two-Way Messaging Lone workers, like security guards, delivery drivers or those who work alone in retail environments, have unique safety challenges. While a comprehensive approach to lone worker safety includes detailed protocols and training techniques, technology can also help mitigate the risk of injury or attack. Effective lone worker safety devices can provide automated, real-time monitoring and alarm systems. They can be incorporated into existing devices, or worn on a person’s body, and some are unobtrusive and discreet. Some include built-in sensors that can detect a fall or lack of movement, and can automatically alert a supervisor or emergency contacts when pressed. When a worker presses the emergency SOS button it sends an alert via SMS to up to 10 contacts, with GPS location data included. The device can be programmed to start calling the contacts in sequence or to wait for an incoming call. It runs on a standard cellular network so it works wherever there is coverage. Emergency Response System A lone worker security system is a simple way to ensure employee safety. These systems usually offer a smartphone app that employees can use to communicate with a monitor, or a stand-alone device that can be worn on the person’s body. The devices connect to the cellular network and can also send a signal to satellite networks, making them ideal for remote locations where cell service is spotty. Panic Button If an employee feels threatened or becomes injured, they can easily trigger a panic button from a mobile device. Depending on the type of device, this can alert security and emergency response personnel to their location or signal that they need help. Most devices also allow employees to check-in with a monitor to ensure that they’re safe throughout their shifts. The simplest devices are worn on an employee’s body, such as a pendant or wristband. They can be activated by simply pressing a button on the device or an app, and some are designed to automatically send a distress message if the user’s activity changes, such as a fall. This feature is particularly useful for healthcare workers and construction workers who may encounter situations that require them to call for assistance. Using an in-app panic button or device allows employees to discreetly communicate with their managers, and can even be used in conjunction with other safety features such as man down alerts. Depending on the organization’s policy, it’s recommended that all lone workers are issued with a personal safety device. This can help create a culture of safety and show that an organization cares about employee well-being. While carrying out a risk assessment and developing a safety policy are essential, consulting with your employees to ask whether they would feel safer with a personal alarm is also a good idea. GPS Tracking Lone worker accidents can happen to anyone, but they tend to be more severe and have a greater impact on an employee’s well-being when they occur while working alone. This is especially true when the accident occurs while the employee is outside their vehicle or inside a customer’s home, where they may not have immediate access to help or safety measures. For such workers, a GPS tracking device can be a lifesaver by providing a way to communicate their location, even without mobile reception. GPS devices work by communicating with satellites in high orbit around the earth, regularly sending signals and parameters that are used to pinpoint an employee’s position. This information is then shared with an employer, emergency contact or ARC using the communication features of the lone worker device. In addition to GPS locating technology, some lone worker devices also include a panic button feature that can be used to alert an emergency contact and activate a duress alarm when the situation becomes dangerous or critical. This is a useful feature that can significantly reduce the response times of an emergency service and help to prevent fatal incidents for vulnerable employees who lack close supervision. Lone worker devices can be in the form of smartphones (with lone worker safety apps), Bluetooth buttons or satellite-based trackers and communicators. A smartphone app is often the most convenient option for employees because it allows them to use other work-related functions on their phone and provides essential lone worker protection features such as two-way messaging, GPS tracking and periodic well-being check-ins. Remote Monitoring The ability to monitor machine status and performance remotely can be a powerful tool in preventing downtime or, if downtime does occur, accelerating appropriate service. This is often achieved through a combination of connectivity to collect data, a means to process and store the data, and mechanisms to notify parties of any actionable information and provide the necessary details to resolve an issue. This technology is frequently used to improve individualized patient care and empower patients to take a more active role in their healthcare. In recent years, remote monitoring solutions have been invaluable in helping hospitals manage COVID-19-related pressure on their facilities by tracking patient symptoms and vital signs from afar. However, RPM solutions can also pose significant challenges for clinical and IT teams. As health data is digitized and transmitted over the internet, IT teams need to ensure that security standards are in place to protect personal health information (PHI) and other sensitive data from hackers. Additionally, HIPAA and FDA medical device requirements must be met when using RPM devices to transmit patient-related data, including encryption, authentication, and privacy policies. Finally, if a team is relying on a third-party software platform for RPM capabilities, they must ensure that patch management tools are in place to keep the software updated and protected from vulnerabilities. These processes can be complicated, time-consuming, and cost-prohibitive.